13 replies

I use the Lantus pen and inject 100 units a day 50 morning and 50 evening, plus humalog pen at base of 20 + sliding scale and carb counting, around 120 units a day. No one told me to switch sites so for two years I did the left side of my stomach. I noticed that that side was enlarging and the skin turning white. Since rotating the site the coloration is gone, and the other side has caught up with the left. I don't like it, but injecting in the thigh and deltoids bothers me cause I don't want them to get bigger.

What causes the thigh or deltoid to get bigger? Do they become bigger after the first injection or does the bigger quality result from not rotating injection sites? My injection sites including the thighs have never become bigger.

What causes the thigh or deltoid to get bigger? Do they become bigger after the first injection or does the bigger quality result from not rotating injection sites? My injection sites including the thighs have never become bigger.

My stomach fat has grown bigger because insulin is a growth hormone, or so my Doc says. Some people gain weight or get fatter from insulin. Guess I'm one of those. I've gained nearly 30 lbs from insulin. No amount of excersize works for me.

Thanks much for the information. I am sorry to hear that about insulin. I was lucky. After my diagnosis I grew from 5 feet 7 inches to 6 feet 2 inchesin three years. That way the 60 pounds I added to my weight wasn't harmful. Ah, to be a teenager again.

My diabetes nurse told me the pens might be defective. Sanofil Aventis has no way of to control pen quality during production. My pen injection instructor was very casual. Too often nothing is in the pen after I prime it with two units of Lantus. I cannot believe the FDA has no problem with the manufacturing of Lantus pens which fail to deliver the accurate amount of insulin. In my case 1/2 unit less of Lantus raises my BG 50 points.

Hi I use lantus every morning daily and I do try to rotate my sites, I inject in my thighs rotating different legs and different areas daily. I know you can inject in the deltoid if you wish. I personally haven't tried it yet. The thighs work out well for me. If the day comes when I can no longer use my thighs then I believe id go to the deltoid next just because I don't want to inject in my stomach if I don't have too.

I tried injecting Lantus into my deltoids, but had problems with the injection sites becoming irritated. Now, I had the same problem several years ago with Humalog, and had to stop injecting Humalog into my deltoids for that reason. But I do inject Byetta, R, and N into my deltoids without any problem. Are you having a problem?

Thanks for answering. When injecting Lantus using a vial and a syringe I had more injection sites to rotate to. My deltoid appears to be all muscle. My thighs and abdomen have less muscle. Used to inject in the backs of my legs. My pen injections don't absorb as well leaving me with higher Bgs in the 150 to 200 range. Considering returning to using syringes. The only problem there is the Lantus loses its strength after 28 days and I require less than 400 units of Lantus monthly. I hate throwing away more than 60% of every Lantus vial I use.

I understand, I wouldn't want to waste that much of a vial either. Especially with the cost. I use the pen 95% of the time, I only use a vial if my physician gives it to me as a sample he has on hand. I know the literature says to rotate sites including the deltoids, but I don't. I only use thighs and abdomen and haven't had any problems. For me, it's all about what works best to control by bg. I know some diabetics who only inject in their abdomens because of various vein problems in the legs and arms, they don't seem to have any problems. I think I would check with my doctor or even try emailing or calling Sanofil Aventis, they are good about responding to patient questions.